Deflecting tool



June 30, 1953 G. E. BROWN 2,643,859

DEFLECTING TOOL Filed Nov. 12, 1949 2 sheets-sheet 1 @ug E. Brown INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS G. E. BROWN DEFLECTING TOOL June 30, 1953 Filed NOV. l2, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTR. Y'. www) aMoLJ v A TTOR/VEYS @ug E. rown Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEFLECTING TOOL Guy Eastman Brown, Houston, Tex. Y

Application November 12, 1949, Serial No. 126,730

(Cl. Z55- 1.6)

Clairns.Y 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in deflecting tools.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved deflecting tool for effectively drilling a well bore at an angle from the vertical whereby directional drilling of the well may be accomplished.

An important object oi the invention is to provide an improved deecting tool adapted to be connected in the lower portion of a` drill pipe or string and havingr means for urging the lower portion or the drill pipe and the drill bit attached thereto toward one side of the well bore, whereby subsequent rotation of thecdrill pipe and bit will resultin 'drilling the well bore at an angle with respect to the remainder of said bore.

Still another object is to provide adeecting tool including an expansible deflecting shoe which when moved to an expanded position oisets the lower portion of the drill pipe with respect to the drill bore together with means operated by the pressure of the normally circulated drilling fluid for actuating or expanding said deilecting shoe.

A further object is to provide a deflecting tool, of the character described, wherein the deiiecting shoe is normally held in a retracted position and is adapted to be radially expanded by means of the pressure of the normally circulated drilling iiuid, the mounting of said shoe being such that the shoe will remain stationary upon subsequent rotation of the drill pipe and drill bit .to assure continued deilection of the bit during the subsequent directional drilling operation.

A still further object is to provide a deflecting tool of the character described which is eXtremely simple in construction and which comprises a unitary assembly which may be readily connected in the drill pipe.

Still another object is to provide a tool ofthe character described which is constructed sothat the deflecting element or shoe may be properly oriented before it is actuated.A

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from` a yreading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the, invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l is an elevation of a deflecting tool constructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating 'the same connected in the drill pipe and moved to an expanded position within a well bore',

i has its lowerend connected by threads to the Figure 5 is-an enlarged horizontal view taken on. the line 5-5. of Figure-2, and

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal view taken on the line 6-5 of Figure 3..

In the drawings, the numeral I@ designates the usual drill pipe or stern which is adapted :to eX- tend through the well bore W and which is utilized to impart rotation to a drill bit il. The improved deflecting tool A comprising the present invention is arranged to be interposed between the drill pipe IU and the drill bit I l and said tool includes a deflecting elementl orshoe B which is movable radially of the body between :a retracted and expanded position. When in an expanded position the outer surface of the element or shoe engages one wall of :the well bore W as shown in Figure l and functions to move the lower portion of the drill pipe Iii andthe drill bit Il toward the wall of the well bore one hundred and eighty degrees opposite the point of contact of said element or shoe with said wall. Itis apparent that with the element or shoe B in its expanded position, the drill bit ll is urged toward the wall of the well bore opposite the shoe and subsequent rotation of the drill pipe and bit results in a. drilling of the well bore at an angle with respect to thel main portion of said bore. The angular or inclined drilling which will be effected by subsequent rotation of the bit I l after expansion of the shoe B is indicated by the dotted Alines W in Figure l. n y

The deecting tool A is clearly shown in Figures 2 6 and the upper portion of the tool includes an elongate sleeve or cylinder i2 which upper end of a'tubular bodyrportion I3. The upper end of the sleeve orcylinder is connected by a sub I4 with the drill pipeil, while the lower end of the tubular body portion i3 has connection through a sub l5 with the drill bit Il. A movableV piston I6 which is slidable within the cylinder I2' is attached to the upper end of a tubular guide stern ll, and said piston is normally held in a raised position therein by a coil spring I8 which surrounds the tubular stern and which is confined between the under side of the piston and the upper end of the tubular body portion I3. The tubular stem I? extends downwardly within the bore ISa of the body I3 and carries a suitable annular' -packing I2 at its lower end which seals oi between the exterior of the stem andthe bore of the body. The stem Il is provided with a radially extending actuating pin 20 which projects outwardly through a vertical slot ZI formed in the body I3 and which has its outer end in a plane beyond the external surface of the body. When the stem and piston are in a raisedposition, being held so by the spring I8, the actuating pin 2D is at the upper end of the slot 2l (Figure 2) but upon downward movement of the piston, said pin 2D is moved downwardly within the slotA 2i as shown in Figure 3.

The piston i5 is adapted to be'moved downwardly against lthe tension of the spring I8 by the application of fluid pressure at its upper end and in order to assure that pressure uid flowing downwardly through the drill stem will move the piston downwardly, the upper end of the tubular stern Il may be restricted by a bored bushing 22 which is threaded into the stem. The axial bore through the bushing is of a restricted size and thus when fluid pressure is applied to the upper end of the piston I6, said piston is moved downwardly within itscylinder I2. pressure iiuid which is applied to the piston will be the usual drilling fluid which is pumped downwardly through the drill stem to the bit II and after actuation of the piston, the fluid is circulated downwardly through the bore of the stem Il and into the lower portion of the body I3. From the body the fluid ilows through an axial bore Ita provided in the connecting sub I5 and thence to the drill bit II in the usual manner. It will thus be evident that actuation of the piston I6 is eiected by means of the usual drilling fluid which is normally circulated through the drill pipe and bit.

The deecting element or shoe B is controlled in its actuation by the movement of the piston I6 and said shoe is generally arcuate in cross-section, as shown in Figures 4 6. The upper portion of the shoe is connected by diametrically opposed links 23 to an upper actuating collar 24. Each link 23 is pivoted at 25 to the shoe and is pivoted to the collar on studs 25. The lower portion of the shoe is connected by a pair of diametrically opposite links 2l to an anchoring collar 28 which is rotatably mounted on bearing plates '2E supported upon an annular liange or shoulder 30 on the sub I5. Each link 2l is pivotally connected at 3i to the shoe and has its opposite end pivotally mounted on a stud 32 extending outwardly from the anchoring collar 28. The collar 28, although rotatable about the sub, is incapable of a longitudinal movement with respect to the sub. The connecting links 23 and 2 which connect the element or shoe B with the respective collars'24 and 28 have their outer ends offset so that when the shoe is in its retracted position as shown in Figure 2, the points'of pivotal connection 25 and 3i between the shoe and the links is offset from the longitudinal center line of the tool and ofiset with respect to the pivotal studs 25 and 32 by which the links are connected to said collars 24 and 28.

The upper or actuating collar 24 surrounds the body I3 and has a counter-bore 24a in its upper portion and the actuating pin 29 which is connected with the tubular stem I1 and which extends through the slot 2l in the body projects into this counterbore. The pin 20 is conned between bearing plates 33 which are disposed within the Thev counterbore 24a and with this arrangement a downward movement of the actuating pin will cause the collar 24 to slide downwardly on the body; however, the pin, guide stem I'I and tubular body I3 may rotate with respect to the collar 24 since the pin is rotatable on the bearing plates 33 within the counterbore 24a.

For orienting the collar 24 and the deecting element or shoe B which is attached to said collar with respect to the drill pipe when the element or shoe is in its retracted position, the collar 24 is provided with an upstanding lug 34 formed upon a ring carrier 32u threaded into the counterbore 24a and this lug is adapted to engage a radial recess 35 formed on the enlarged upper end of the tubular body I3 (Figure 4). The engagement of the lug within the recess locks the collar 24 and the deflecting shoe B against rotation on the tubular body when the shoe is in its retracted position (Figure 2) and thus, during the lowering of the drill pipe and tool A within the well the deflecting shoe may be in a known radial position with respect to the drill pipe. The drill pipe may be oriented into the well bore W to provide knowledge of the compass position of the shoe when the latter reaches bottom or if desired, a bottom hole orientation method, such as is in common use in the well surveying field and as shown in the prior patents to Miller, 2,327,658, or Hyer, 2,120,670, may be employed for determining the compass position of said shoe. With a bottom hole method of orientation, it would only be necessary to locate the position of the lug and after such position is know the drill pipe may be rotated to properly locate the deflecting shoe before said shoe is moved into a radially expanded position,

In operation the deilecting tool A is connected in the drill string between the lower end oi the drill pipe IQ and the drill bit II and the coil spring I8 maintains the operating piston Iii in its upper position whereby the deflecting element or shoe is retracted (Figure 2). The deflecting element or shoe is locked against rotation on the tubular body I3 by the engagement of the lug 3ft with the recess 35 and the drill pipe may be oriented as it is lowered in the Well bore by usual drill pipe orientation methods or after lowering the position of the orienting lug 34 may be ascertained so that the compass position of the shoe may be determined and known when the deflecting tool reaches the lower end of the well bore W. In some` instances, such as in a side tracking operation the compass position of the deflect-ing element is unimportant in which event no orientation need be carried out.

When the deilecting element or shoe is properly positioned and is to be radially expanded, it is only necessary to circulate the usual drilling fluid under pressure downwardly through the drill pipe ID and this fluid will be directed against the upper end of the piston IB and also through the restricted bore of the bushing 22. Because of the restricted bore the application of pump pressure will move the Ipiston I6 downwardly against the tension of the spring I8 whereby the piston and its tubular guide stem I'I are moved downwardly within the cylinder I2 and body I3. Because the radially extending actuating pin 26 is connected to the tubular stem IT downward movement of the stem will impart a similar downward movement to the pin which, through its engagement with the actuating collar 24, will cause a downward sliding movement of said collar 24 on the tubular body. As has been noted, the pivotal connections 25 .and 3| -b'etweenthe-li'nks123`2andi21' respectively, and the deecting elementvor shoe:`

areV located off center-with respect to theroth'er of the body I3 as shown viny Figure. arcuate surface of the deflectingshoemay be provided with longitudinal-'ribs 35`which may=h`a`ve their edges sharpened to lfirmly engage the wall-A of the formation,

After the deflecting element or-shoe-is moved radially outwardly, continued circulation -ofthe uid under pressure causes said fluidY to passdownwardly through the tubular guide-stem H5 through'the bore Mia of the subv |5 and to the-bitv H so that a normal circulation of drilling fluidM through the drill bit Vmay beaccclnplished. As the defiecting shoe engages'v the wall ofv the'well bore W, it'will be evident that the lower `end of the drill pipe and the bitare moved in a direction 180 degrees opposite the point of contact between the shoe and the wall of the bore-andthus the bit is forced to'one'side of the well bore. The

downward movement'of lthe actuating collarlli which results in the radial movement ofthe deecting shoe disconnects the f orientingy lug 3d from the recess 35'so that the collar is again rotatable with respect tothe body i3; Thus the rotation of .the drill pipe Yto periorm the sube sequent drilling operation will permitthe body i3 .to rotate with respect to the lcollars 2and 23 which are, of course, held stationary by the contact vof the shoe B with the formation. The actuating pin 29'carried by the rotatingguide stem merelyj rotates between the bearing plates 23 within .the counterbore Zdof the actuating collar. Itis thus obvious that .a subsequent drilling operation may be carried out in theusual manner without interference from the` deflecting shoe which will function to maintain the bit il .in a position at one side of the well bore. As the drilling continues, the shoe or element B will merely slide down the-wall of the formation and so long as liuid under pressure is beingccirculated downwardly through the-drill stem, the'shoe will re-A main in its expanded position.

After the-directional drillingfoperation` is complete, it isonly necessary to discontinue circulation and when this is done-the pressure above the piston I6 is relieved whereby the spring' I8 may returnthe pistonrto its ,upper position. By means of the actuating pin a-nd. actuating col-i lar 24 the connecting links 23are again` swung inwardly to'retract the deflectng shoe and the in such position so long as circulation continues;

when circulation is stopped the deflecting shoe is automatically retracted to permit removal of the device from the well bore.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together` withv otheri advantages which, are: obvious .i1-andai which-arevinherentto 'the structureg.

It will be understood that certainl;featuresfandzv subcombinations are of "utility and may fbe :enrployed'fwithout reference to :other .features and subcombinations. This, isfcontemplatedy by: and is withinl'the scope of the claims.

As lmany possible embodiments may be'fmacle of i the. invention :without departing from: the

scope thereof; it .istoJbe understoodrthat.all-matl ter herein set forth orsh'own inttheaccompany--Y ing drawings isfto-bel interpreted;.'as illustrative and .not in allimting sense.

Having describedthe.-inventi'on, I claim;

1. A deflecting tool including, laatubularbody,v anv anchoring 1 collar rotatably iconnedf on thelower portion of the body, 'an actuatingxcollarrotatable and longitudinally movablewith respect to the body and. spaced fromvthe anchoring collar; an arcuatedeflecting element,V pivoted-links connecting the deflecting=element to the anchoring collar and tothe actuating collar, and means for moving-the actuating collar withrespect to the4 anchoring collar for swinging said linksl to effectan outward radial movement ofthe delecting'f' element.`

2: Aj deiie'cting -toolincluding,V aftubul-ar body, anv anchoring collar rotatably conned l on* the lower portion of thefbody,` angactuati-ngf collar rotatable and longitudinally movablewith'l respect to the -body andv spaced from thefanchoring collar, anf arcuate defiectingr element,- pivoted links connecting the-deflectingf element tof theY anchoring collar andy to-the actuatingf collar,-

movernent of the .actuatingy collar'withv respectf to the anchoring collar resulting in an outwardf radial movement of the-deflectingelement, and pressure-actuatedY means vwithin *theV borel of the body having an operativeconnection through the wall of tlfiev body withv the-actuating'collar for imparting movement to said actuating collar.

3, A deflecting tool including, a tubular-body;v an anchoring collar rotatably conned on` the lower portion of the body, an actuatingcollar rotatable andl longitudinally movable-with re-4V spect tothebodyand spaced from the anchoring collar, an arcuate deflecting element, pivoted f links connecting the deflecting'element tothev anchoring collar and to the actuating'collar, r'e-l silientv means' for-f maintaining the collars -inw spaced relation on the body to maintain the'deflecting element na'retracted position', and-'fluid pressure-actuated means within .the bore rof thev`v l body andY having an operative connectionfthrough thewall of the body withthe actuating'col'larA for movingl said collar toward-the anchoringcollarfwherebythe deii'ecting 4'element is movedradially outwardly of the body.

4'. A deflecting tool including, atubular'body, an anchoring collar rotatably conned on theY lower-portion of'thefbody, an actuatingicolla-r rotatable and longitudinally movable with'respect to the body and spaced from the anchoring collar, an arcuate deecting element, pivoted links connecting the deflecting element to the anchoring collar -and to the actuating collar, movement of the actuating collar with respect to the anchoring collar resulting in an outward radial movement of the deiiecting element, a piston slidable within the bore of the body and adapted to be moved therein by the application of fluid pressure thereto, and an operative connection between said piston and the actuating collar and extending through the wall of the body, wherebyl movement of the piston imparts a movement to the kactuating collar with respect to the anchoring collar and thereby expands the defiecting element radially outwardly.

5. A deiiecting tool as set forth in claim l, together with means for orienting the deecting element with respect to the body when the deiiecting element is in its retracted position.

6. A deflecting tool as set forth in claim 3, tgether with means for locking the actuating collar and its attached deflecting element in a predetermined known position on the collar when the element is in a retracted position.

7. A deecting tool including, a tubular body adapted to be connected in a drill string between the drill pipe and thedrill bit, a radially eXpansible deilecting element mounted on the exterior of said body, and fluid pressure-actuated means movable within the bore of the body and having an operative connection through the wall of the body with the deiiecting element whereby said means may be utilized to expand the deecting element, said operative connection including a pair of collars on the body and pivoted links connecting said collars to said element, said pressure-actuated means having a flow passage therethrough whereby drilling fluid circulated downwardly through the drill pipe and body will operate said means and may then How therethrough to the drill rbit below the body.

8. A deiiecting tool including, a tubular body adapted to be connected in a drill string between the drill pipe and the drill bit, a radially expansible deflecting element mounted on the exterior of said body, fluid pressure-actuated means movable within the bore of the body and having an operative connection through the wall of the body with the-deflecting element whereby said means may be utilized to expand the deflecting element, said operative connection including a pair of collars on the body and pivoted links connecting said collars to said element, said pressure-actuated means having a flow passage therethrough whereby drilling fluid circulated downwardly through the drill pipe and body will operate said means and may then iiow therethrough to the drill bit below the body, and means for rotatably mounting the defiecting element on the body whereby after the element is expanded subsequent rotation of the drill pipe may be accomplished without rotation of the deflecting element. Y

9. A defiecting tool as set forth in claim 3, together with means for locking the deflecting element against rotation on the body when the element is in a retracted position, whereby orientation of the drill pipe and element may be carried out prior to expansion of said element.

10. A deflecting tool including, a tubular body, an anchoring collar rotatably conned on the lower portion of the body, an actuating collar rotatable and longitudinally movable with respect to the body and spaced from the anchoring collar, an arcuate delecting element, a pair of lower connecting links between the anchoring collar and the lower portion of the deflecting element and pivotally attached to said collar and element, a pair of upper connecting links between the actuating collar and the upper portion of the deecting element and pivotally connected to said actuating collar and said element, and means for moving said actuating collarthe pivot points of both upper and lower links being so disposed with respect to each other that movement of the actuating collar to- Ward the anchoring collar swings said links to move the deecting element outwardly in a radial direction.

11. A deiiecting tool as set forth in claim 10, wherein said means for moving said actuating collar is a pressure actuated means within the tubular body having operative connection with the actuating collar for imparting movement to said collar. Y

12. A deflecting tool as set forth in claim l0, wherein said means for moving said actuating collar is a pressure actuated means within the tubular body having operative connection with the actuating collar for imparting movement to said collar, and spring means acting upon the pressure actuated means urging said means in a direction separating the actuating collar from the-*anchoring collar which urges the deecting element toward a retracted position.

13. A deflecting tool including, a tubular body adapted to be connected in a drill pipe, an actuating piston disposed within the bore of the body and adapted to be moved therein by the application of fluid pressure thereto, a radially expansible deecting element, a pair of collars on said body adapted to move axially relative to each other, pivoted links connecting said collars to said element, and means connecting said piston to said links for moving said collars axially relative to each other to eiTect movement of said element radially outward.

14. The tool as set forth in claim 13, including means for normally maintaining the element in a retracted position.

15. The tool as set forth in claim 13, including means for mounting said element on said body rotatively whereby the body is rotatable with respect to said element.

GUY EASTMAN BROWN.

References cited in the fue of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 2,120,670 Hyer June 14, 1938 2,316,409 Downing Apr. 13, 1943 2,319,236 Isaacks et al May i8, 1943 2,327,023 Danner Aug. 17, 1943 2,327,658 Miller Aug. 24, 1943 

